After discovering his lifeless body on the floor of their Edinburgh home in Ferry Gait Crescent, she wrapped it in a duvet cover, put it in the suitcase and drove about 25 miles to Kirkcaldy, Fife, to hide it in woodland.

But she reported him missing to police, sparking a major two-day search operation involving hundreds of local people.

John Dunn, Procurator Fiscal for the East of Scotland, said: "There can be few crimes more shocking than a parent killing their child.

"From the outset of the case, and working closely with the Police, the Crown has led an extremely thorough investigation in to the circumstances surrounding Mikaeel's death.

"All of the facts and circumstances of the case were carefully considered by Crown Counsel.

"Having considered all the evidence in the case, including that of expert pathologists, Crown Counsel concluded that pleas of guilty to charges of culpable homicide and attempting to defeat the ends of justice were appropriate."